The FTSE 100 has ended slightly lower after early gains were overshadowed by a downbeat opening from Wall Street.
The FTSE 100 closed 3.5 points lower at 6053, knocked by a falling Wall Street where disappointing results from Bank of America and National City Corp hit confidence on both sides of the Atlantic.
ITV led the top company risers after a Sunday Telegraph report said that pay-TV company BSkyB had received expressions of interest in its stake in ITV from Channel 5 owner RTL and US billionaire Haim Saban.
Hammerson led the fallers, down 5% to £10.20 after HSBC cut its price target on the British property company to 700p from 765p.
Bid speculation lifted DSG International , which owns high street retailer Dixons. It closed up 5% at 68p after a report in the Financial Times said Metro, Germany's leading retailer, was considering buying Britain's DSG to help it expand in Europe.
The Bank of England's plan to make £50bn available for Britain's embattled banks had limited impact on the London market. It was widely trailed last week and bank stocks had risen in anticipation.
Barclays closed down 3.5% at 478.75p and HBOS down 3% at 540.5p.
